"I have been waiting long for such a book. Universities train students in how to carry out social research under ideal circumstances, with the syllabus full of textbook-recipes from which to choose from. Yet, students are often ill-prepared for what they find when trying to implement the research techniques they have learned to the real world. It is therefore important to know what previous researchers have experienced when in the field, and what they had to do to generate their data. In this important book, authors share the lessons they have learned the hard way in order to succeed. In particular, it better equips us for what to expect when entering the world of people who draw their livelihoods from the sea. This reflection helps us, as researchers, to deal with the emotional stress that ensues when things do not work out exactly as planned, which they seldom do."
(Svein Jentoft, Professor emeritus, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway)
"The book answers the long-standing question about the role of social sciences in marine resources and ocean governance. With transformation and innovation being asked of all scientists today to address the increasing complexity of challenges facing the society, the book provides the best evidence of how well-equipped social science, and interdisciplinary, researchers are in tackling them. Unlike other books on social science research methods, this volume offers rare insights about what works, and as importantly, what doesn’t, with thoughtful reflections from trained and experienced researchers, many of them female, early career scholars. For those who like to dismiss social sciences as ‘soft’, the book will change your mind. For those thinking that social science research is easy, you will think twice. For those looking for new ways of approaching societal problems and doing research, the book will delight and surprise you, and will encourage you to enjoy the new journey."
(Ratana Chuenpagdee, Professor, Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Global Partnership for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)
"A 'must read' item in the reading list for research training programmes for social scientists of all hues – important, not only as a crucial part of basic training, but also as a timely intervention in the current debates over the expansion of social sciences into new areas."
(David Symes, Reader Emeritus, University of Hull, UK)
"Marine social sciences occupy the interstitial spaces between the established social sciences – (such as sociology, anthropology and human geography) the marine natural sciences (including oceanography and marine biology) and the professional sciences (for example: law, policy and management). The thirteen essays in this book span the straits separating discipline-based text-book methods and the realities of conducting and interpreting interdisciplinary methodology. This is research as social practice, enriched by candid reflection on errors, insights and course-corrections. The authors and editors provide a valuable aid to those navigating this knowledge-archipelago, whether as graduate students, professors or marine spatial planners. It will be especially useful to orientate the many researchers who enter the field from the marine natural sciences. To those working in interdisciplinary teams or commissioning marine social research, it will help build understanding and respect for those who are mapping the myriad relationships between sea and society."
(Edward H. Allison, Professor, Research Chair for Equity and Justice in the Blue Economy, WorldFish, Malaysia and Research Director, Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, Earthlab, University of Washington, USA)